If the main storyline for the Spurs period in Orlando becomes the youth showcase for players like Dejounte Murray, Derrick White and Lonnie Walker IV, the downside is what will have helped clear those opportunities. After leading the team in points, goal attempts on the pitch, assists and usage for each of the past two seasons, DeMar DeRozan has made a remarkable back seat so far, giving the team an important look at what his younger teammates have they can make the opportunity.
Despite relatively high minute totals in each of the first two scripts, DeRozan was sixth in the team’s shooting attempts both times, behind Walker, Murray, White, Bryn Forbes and Rudy Gay. In the last scrimmage against Indiana, he took a few more – 13, 2nd only for White’s 14 – but the supporting cast still supported most of the scripts in the afternoon. Murray, White and Walker combined for 15 assists at DeRozan’s 2, connecting to a series of noteworthy dimes.
DeRozan is one of three veterans who made the trip to Orlando, with LaMarcus Aldridge recovering from the shoulder surgery in April. Salvalo, Gay and Patty Mills, the Spurs are above all, almost unusual, young at the moment, a probable factor that has influenced their philosophy. (Pop was also asked on Tuesday about Mills, who was completely absent in all three shows despite no lesions revealed. “He has a little Manu Ginobili makeup,” said Pop. “His body is aching from the head. at the feet. “)
In addition to freeing up significant use for young people, this development has interesting implications on some specific levels of DeRozan, namely:
- DeRozan is an established star in this league (and father of two children) who has agreed to get stuck in the bubble for at least 50 days: Spurs fans should appreciate his volunteer giving up on touches and taking on a wider mentoring role, especially because:
- DeRozan has a $ 27.7 million option for next season;
- You would assume that DeRozan plans to withdraw that option, given the unstable financial ground that the pandemic has put the NBA on next season;
- Even if the expectation is for DeRozan, an important part of next season would be knowing how kids like Murray, White and Walker can play with him, not vice versa;
- The last point assumes that there is no predetermined goal to try and move it to this offseason, in which case the notes above make a little more sense in the big picture.
There may not be much value in reading the broader implications right now: the NBA’s off-season uncertainties are amplified by questions about what a 2020-21 season might look like (and the wage cap). However, with the team appearing to be using this time to project both eyes into the future, it is difficult for us not to follow suit.
I asked Pop before Tuesday’s scrum about DeRozan’s role in letting his younger teammates do more. Here is his answer:
“We wanted to take a look at (them) playing together and we want them to be more aggressive. We want them to shoot faster, by shooting three, knowing where they are. Just being more aggressively offensive than expanding the offense. So DeMar accepted this and did a really good job of letting people develop more than anything else, so that’s what we’re looking for. “
The Spurs manager didn’t speak on certain terms of DeRozan’s role in the next 8 reboot games: “I can’t predict what will happen in those games when reality starts,” he said. However, if we assume that the team’s priority remains a good look at the White-Murray backcourt pair or a more freewheeling Walker, it is worth assuming that we will see more or less of the same – and less of DeRozan – throughout the Bubble.
